Kurt Warner clarifies his comments, says he’d “love” his sons to play football

Posted by Mike Florio on May 3, 2012, 9:17 PM EST

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On Thursday’s Dan Patrick Show, former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner said that he doesn’t want his children to play football. “There’s no question in my mind,” Warner said regarding his preference that they don’t play.

On Thursday’s Hill and Schlereth on ESPN Radio, Warner clarified his comments — ultimately saying that he’d actually “love” for his kids to play football.

“I agree from my standpoint that everything I have gotten, and I love the game and I wouldn’t change a thing about my career,” Warner said in response to Toomer’s remarks. “I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. I continue to love it. I continue to watch it, and am a big fan of the game. But at the end of the day, you know, I’ve seen how my wife looks at this game when I’m out there getting hit. And it’s different when you put on a parent’s hat. And, yeah, I want my kids to play and I want them to be healthy and I’d love them to have a great long career whether that’s collegiate, whether that’s professional. I’d love all that. But as a parent I can’t avoid the fact that it’s a dangerous sport, and it’s a violent sport.

“And it’s not just football I’m talking about. Any time my kids are put in harm’s way, as a parent I say, ‘I don’t want them to do that. I don’t want them to take that chance.’ Can I protect them from anything? No. Am I gonna sit here and say, ‘You can’t do this. You can’t do that, you can’t drive in a car, you can’t do all the things that are risky in life.’ Of course not.

“But my point being is that as a parent, do you think about that? Do you think about the violence of the game when your kids play? And, yeah, my kids are 13 years old and my son has already suffered a concussion. Do I think about that? Of course I think about that. And the bottom line for me as a parent, is as much as I love the game and what it’s all about and what it’s done for me, the most important thing for me is the safety of my kids. And so that’s my point, is that I consider it. And it’s in my thought process. And when they play and when they wanna play and when they talk about playing professionally, I’m very conscious of that.

“And, you know, at the end of the day, I’d love for them to play football. If they don’t play football and never suffer an injury doing anything, I’m going to be an extremely parent as they move into the rest of their life and take care of their family and their kids. So I don’t know why I would have to keep my comments to myself. I’m speaking as a father. But I love the game of football and I’ll always love it and I’m so appreciate of what it did for me.”

That’s a great and thorough and thoughtful explanation. And I agree with him. But that’s not what he told Dan Patrick on Thursday morning.

Clearly he wants his kids to play football, it’s just him not wanting his kids to experience all the hits he took and he just doesnt want them to be brain dead when they are his age. It’s just a father concerned for his children.

This might sound very wrong, but it seems Kurt might be suffering from brain damage already with all the stuff he has said over the last couple years.

melikefootball says:May 3, 2012 9:49 PM

Wait Kurt can’t say this now, all the sports media, that have been saying football is done, withKurt coming out and runing down the sport, will have to back track. No one wants anyone hurt but this is ludicris to even allow the suite to be filed. These players want to play and make the money and be held up high by fans, they know the dangers and most have played since Pop Warner football.

Can’t understand why this is the slightest bit controversial or why anyone had a problem with his comments. He played, loves, and is thankful for the sport, but he knows the risks and it’s different when it’s your children. He was speaking as a parent, not a player. Football is a violent sport and the effects stay with them forever. So of course a parent may be concerned for their children. I’m sure he’s not the only one.

It’s just Kurt Warner wanting to keep his name in the public eye. He has been quoted in the media quite abit lately and it really is rather mundane topics that have no real journalistic value.

jethrie says:May 3, 2012 10:26 PM

I didn’t watch the Toomer video so I may be speaking a bit out of turn here, but…Toomer kinda sounds like an idiot. So, just because you benefit from something you should never criticize it? So, no one should ever criticize the government because we benefit from the military protection and we have public schools? We shouldn’t criticize the healthcare industry because Dr.s treat our illnesses? We shouldn’t criticize corporations because they provide goods? We should ignore all the negative things, never express concern, and be happy when it bites us in the rear. Right…

Wow! The PC Nuts have infected football where a future HOF QB is attacked and savaged (only on the internet, only on the internet) by wannabe ballboys, grocery store baggers and cart wranglers, video game fanatics who live in constant re-boot, and the rest who do so from the safety of their little ‘caves’ and opine so manly and so indignantly behind their computers. Betcha 99% of these guys have never put their bodies on the line in an adult competitive sport where bruising, bleeding, pulled muscles, and broken bones are expected to be incurred by most everyone. My, so much aggression from the peanut gallery to Warner’s personal opinions!

I keep getting blocked, so maybe this will get through. Lame stories florio, can’t wait for the regular season to get here.

thehawg says:May 3, 2012 11:37 PM

He who is sinless, let them cast the first rock, unless you can do better.

purplepete24 says:May 3, 2012 11:44 PM

I believe Mr. Toomer does not have any children so his opinion on what Kurt Warner said is moot. Once you have a child your perspective on life changes. You never want to see your children hurt, you goal in life is to make sure they never feel the suffering you have, and never have to experience the bad things in life you have. Hey, if Kurt does not want his children tossed around, much like he was during his NY experience, I have no problem with that. Kurt has made enough money in his life that his children don’t have to rely on being professional football players.

truths4all says:
May 3, 2012 10:40 PM
Wow! The PC Nuts have infected football where a future HOF QB is attacked and savaged (only on the internet, only on the internet) by wannabe ballboys, grocery store baggers and cart wranglers, video game fanatics who live in constant re-boot, and the rest who do so from the safety of their little ‘caves’ and opine so manly and so indignantly behind their computers. Betcha 99% of these guys have never put their bodies on the line in an adult competitive sport where bruising, bleeding, pulled muscles, and broken bones are expected to be incurred by most everyone. My, so much aggression from the peanut gallery to Warner’s personal opinions!
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I’d agree with you if this guy didn’t have to walk back every thing that comes out of his mouth. Maybe he needs to think things through before he opens his mouth and opines on numerous subjects. Then this post wouldn’t even be here of his trying to regurgitate what he said earlier. And I actually like the guy…

Canyonero says:May 4, 2012 12:39 AM

So, basically he doesn’t want his kids to play the New Orleans Saints.

Amani, who are you to tell anyone to keep their comments to themselves about their own children. He was asked a direct question and he answered it honestly. Ive been a cop for 17 years. I love my job and it has provided for my family. I in no way, shape or form want my 3 boys to become police officers. Its a dangerous, rough career and as a father would fear for their safety every single day the way my family does for me. Its my right to wish whatever i want for my children and yell it out loud for everyone to hear if i choose to. I respect everything Kurt Warner said. I listened to the interview and found it to be very honest. He has nothing to clarify or apologize for. On the other hand i think you do!

Ok Amani needs to wake up. I was talking to someone about this the other day. He said he’s not going to direct his son to football but if it’s his god given talent then so be it he plays football. This is basically what Kurt Warner said. I have lots of respect for Kurt and think Amani needs deal with his comments

Stop calling this guy a future hall of famer. You want to put this tool in, but Plunkett can’t get in? Jaws? Simms? You would put Warner in ahead of Phil Simms?

ahs2 says:May 4, 2012 2:51 PM

I LOVE football but I would NEVER want my kid to play football. These guys get paid a ton and it’s their choice. So, right or wrong to anyone reading this comment, I’m not too sympathetic about their problems, health or otherwise. In other words, let someone else do it and I’ll gladly sit back and watch it.